Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Minister Nomvula Mokonyane kicked off National Water Week recently by stating: “As government we are very concerned about this situation and we are making a call to all South Africans to adapt their lives and face the reality that water is a scarce resource that has no substitute.” Today, as we recognise World Water Day to inspire action on water issues, we cannot forget the tremendous toll that our eating habits take on our water systems. This is particularly pertinent in South Africa, as we face our “worst drought in years.”

According to the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, the demand for water is already outstripped in Gauteng since 2013, and will be in the whole of South Africa by 2025. 60% of water supply is used for agricultural use (including irrigation), 18% for environmental use, 11,5% for urban and domestic use, and 10,5% for mining and industrial use. Continue reading →

REUTERSInjured people are seen at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. Picture: Reuters/ Ketevan Kardava/ Courtesy of 1tv.ge/Handout via Reutersiol.co.za

This from iol.co.za:

Brussels – Victims lay in pools of blood, their limbs blown off, as the smoke cleared to reveal a scene of horror after twin explosions ripped through the main terminal at Brussels airport, witnesses told AFP.

The normally bustling departure hall at Zaventem was wrecked by the morning rush-hour blasts, with part of the ceiling collapsing near the check-in desks and many of the huge plate glass windows blown out by the attack.

“A man shouted a few words in Arabic and then I heard a huge blast,” airport baggage security officer Alphonse Lyoura, who still had blood on his hands following the explosion, told AFP.

He said there was another explosion about two minutes later.

“I helped at least six or seven wounded people. We took out some bodies that were not moving. It was total panic everywhere,” Lyoura said.

“I saw people lying on the ground covered in blood who were not moving.

“At least six or seven people’s legs were totally crushed. A lot of people lost limbs. One man had lost both legs and there was a policeman with a totally mangled leg.”

Emergency services said at least 11 people were killed in the blast and many others wounded.

Pivothead South Africa has appointed Smile 90.4FM radio presenter Bobby Brown as its new brand ambassador. Available in South Africa for the first time, Pivothead puts the camera where your eyes are, letting you capture hands-free video and still images from your own point-of-view.

Known for his much acclaimed Tech Report on radio, Brown is a self-confessed geek. “I’m delighted to be appointed as brand ambassador. I love all tech, especially innovations. Pivothead is the perfect amalgamation of new tech, innovated into a brilliant new application. It’s one of those gadgets that make you wonder why nobody has thought of this before. So to join the group was a bit of a no-brainer”

His current profile is very much about Science, Technology, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.). “I’m about to launch a YouTube channel that goes back to my journalism roots of engaging human interest stories. My Pivothead glasses are going to come in very handy in this regard.” Continue reading →

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Charlie’s Angels on True Movies on March 28 with the screening of Behind The Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Charlie’s Angels, a fascinating look at how the sexy girls-with-guns TV drama series began and ended its tumultuous first season.

It was on September 22, 1976, when the first episode of Charlie’s Angels aired in the US. The show was produced by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg who had already produced that other TV hit show Starsky and Hutch.

The original title of their new police drama was The Alley Cats which followed three women Alley, Lee and Catherine (Al-Lee-Cats) and was designed as a star vehicle for actress Kate Jackson.
As the series evolved with Jackson’s input, it developed into a series about three women working for a faceless man who gives his employees assignments over a speakerphone.

Then Jackson saw a painting of cherubs in Spelling’s office and suggested calling the series Harry’s Angels. As there was already was a series running on television called Harry O, the title became Charlie’s Angels and history was made. Continue reading →

It’s been an up-and-down weekend for City enforcement staff who arrested more than 70 suspects while holding land invaders at bay and delivering a baby in the process. Read more below:

The City of Cape Town’s enforcement agencies had their hands full over the last four or five days, courtesy of the taxi-related violence in the Milnerton area, followed by the attempted land invasion in Dunoon. This, while trying to get Operation Exodus up and running and conducting general enforcement operations.

Overall, 72 suspects were arrested including 36 for drunk driving; 14 for possession of drugs; two on charges of robbery; and a record 11 for reckless and negligent driving during a single enforcement operation focusing on illegal street racing. Continue reading →

5FM’s live music sessions 5Live hosted by Rob Forbes and Fix Moeti on the last Friday of every month has showcased some of the best local talent since its inception last year.

Previous award winning acts featured include HHP, AKA, Goldfish and Twin Atlantic and this week sees SA born and now US-based band Civil Twilight return to the Mother City for a live performance on the 5FM music feature. The four piece rock band is made up of South African brothers Andrew and Steven McKeller, Richard Wouters, and American Kevin Dailey – who joined the band after their move to Nashville.

Broadcasting from the Red Bull Studios in Cape Town between 15:00 and 16:00 onThursday, 24 March(due to the public holiday), the band promises fans and 5FM listeners plenty passion and excitement with their homecoming. The band were last here in 2014 and say they are always happy to return to the place of their birth and perform for their people. Continue reading →

An exciting new career sector – gaming – has been quietly growing in the country in the past few years, and has now taken off with gusto as heavyweight degree courses come onto the market to provide professionals for the industry.

While in the past gamers were mostly dismissively considered to be idling away their lives on the couch, or worse, these days what used to be a hobby has become a lucrative and multi-dimensional field of work, an expert says.

“Whether as a player, a developer, designer or writer, the gaming industry – also known as the interactive entertainment industry – provides an exciting, engaging and rewarding new opportunity for school-leavers,” says Nola Payne, Head of Faculty: Information and Communication Technology at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education institution. Continue reading →

Laureus editorial content is available for media use provided credit is given; for example…..’Tony Hawk speaking to Laureus.com about the nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards’

BERLIN, March 22, 2016 – Skateboard legend and Laureus World Sports Academy Member Tony Hawk has welcomed one of the most intriguing line-ups ever for the Laureus World Action Sports Award. In an exclusive interview on Laureus.com, Hawk said “I feel like Action Sports are growing faster than most sports these days. There is so much interest.”

The eventual winner will be announced at the Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony in Berlin on April 18, and Hawk had high praise for the six Nominees, who have been selected by a panel of the world’s media. Continue reading →

So ladies this is always a tricky one, as there is no one way answer to matching your foundation perfectly and it often entails lots of testing which can get quite tedious if you don’t have the time or the patience.

You will hardly ever find the perfect match to your skin tone in just one bottle (unless you are truly blessed with an all-round even skin tone – lucky you!) and you will often find that your T-panel is much lighter than the rest of your face, of which you will need two different shades of foundation.

If you don’t feel comfortable matching your own foundation – most cosmetic counters usually have makeup/beauty consultants who will gladly assist you with this daunting task. No need to feel intimated – the ladies behind the counter are always very friendly and welcoming and are there to make your lives easier, so just walk in with your shoulders back and your head held high and don’t be afraid to ask for a little help. Continue reading →

Due to popular demand, Cape Town Comedy Club is pleased to announce … MORE MARCH MADNESS with R50 tickets to the following Wednesday & Thursday night shows in March, now available at all Computicket outlets and Shoprite/Checkers stores: 23, 24, 30 & 31 March 2016

v A Night of Headliners: R190pp Wednesday 6 & Thursday 7 April 2016. You are in for a real treat as four of South Africa’s top comedians perform on our stage for two nights! Marc Lottering, Loyiso Gola, Conrad Koch (with Chester Missing) as well as Kurt Schoonraad as the MC. The line-up is subject to change.

v We are open throughout Easter: Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 27th March 2016 #EasterVibes

v Half Price Sundays: R60pp for selected shows only

v Happy Hour: 6-7pm and one hour after the show

v To hire venue for exclusive use, contact events@capetowncomedy.com for more info.